Cosmetic article applicator



D. SEIDLER COSMETIC ARTICLE APPLICATOR June 23, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 8, 1967 June 23, 1970 D. SEIDLER 3,516,423

COSMETIC ARTICLE APPLICATOR FiledDec. 8, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVI'JN'IOR. DAVID SEIDLER United States Patent O 3,516,423 COSMETIC ARTICLE APPLICATOR David Seidler, 69-40 108th St, Forest Hills, NY. 11375 Filed Dec. 8, 1967, Ser. No. 689,101 Int. Cl. A45d 40/26 US. Cl. 13Z88.7 Ill Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cosmetic article applicator especially suited for applying false eyelashes in which the applicator includes a support surface to which the cosmetic article may be temporarily adhered for manipulation of the article into adhering engagement with the skin of the wearer. The surface to which the cosmetic article is temporarily adhered includes an adhering medium which is preferably a siliCOne base adhesive which is washable to remove contaminants and renew the tackiness of the adhesive. In applying the cos metic article to the skin, a surgical tape may be utilized which may be supported on a compressible surface in order that the tape may be caused to conform to the cosmetic article on the support surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a cosmetic article applicator which is most especially useful in the application of false eyelashes or other small articles which may be used to enhance the appearance of the wearer. The invention also is directed to a method of applying the cosmetic articles.

False eyelashes and other cosmetic devices or articles are currently in widespread use but, bacause of the small size of the cosmetic articles and the fact that they are placed on or about the eyes and face, great difliculty has been experienced in the self-application of the cosmetic articles. Articles to be adhered to an eyelid, and especially false eyelashes, have been considered to be extremely difficult to self apply because the eyelid must be at least partially closed while being viewed in the mirror. Tweezer type devices have been used for the self application of false eyelashes but experience has proven these generally unsatisfactory. The difficulties encountered in attempting to manipulate false eyelashes into position have caused many women to abandon the use of such cosmetic devices, which they otherwise find attractive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally speaking in accordance with the invention, an applicator having a tacky surface is provided for temporarily supporting a cosmetic article while it is being manipulated into position. The applicator may have various configurations but the surface to which the cosmetic article is temporarily adhered includes an adhering medium which preferably is in the form of a silicone adhesive which is washable to remove contaminants, such as dirt and oil, so that the tacky surface of the silicone adhesive can be continuously renewed. The cosmetic article can be applied by means of a liquid adhesive or surgical tape which is preferably transparent. In using surgical tape, the small size of the pieces of tape makes it desirable to support the tape on a compressible surface which will conform to the curvature of the applicator for applying the surgical tape to the cosmetic article. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved applicator for a cosmetic article which will temporarily hold the cosmetic article and aid in manipulating the article into the proper position.

Another object of the invention is to provide an applicator for a cosmetic article having a renewable tacky surface for temporary support of the article.

,iaz Patented June 23, I979 A further object of the invention is to provide an improved method for applying cosmetic articles and novel means for use in the improved method.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, and the several steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others thereof, all as exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cosmetic article applicator constructed in accordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective View of a modified form of the FIG. 1 applicator;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of another modified form of the FIG. 1 applicator;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a further embodiment of a cosmetic article applicator constructed in accordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of an applicator;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5 showing alternate positions of the cosmetic article support surface in phantom lines;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a cosmetic article applicator;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view taken along line 83 of FIG. 7 showing a false eyelash in position to be applied;

FIG. 9 is a partial view of the article support surface of FIG. 8, at an enlarged scale, with surgical tape applied to the false eyelash; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a package suitable for use in the application of cosmetic articles with surgical tape.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1, an applicator indicated generally at 11 includes a support element 12 which is preferably molded of plastic material into the configuration of a yoke 13 and a handle 14. The legs I5 of the yoke extend upwardly in substantially parallel relationship and have mounted thereto at the outer ends thereof a band 16 for temporary support of the cosmetic article. Band 16 has a substantially U-shaped configuration with the ends of the legs thereof supported in the yoke legs. In the embodiment shown, suitable slots 17 are provided in legs 15 for receiving the ends of band 16. In cross section, band 16 is preferably provided with a slight curvature convex on the side away from yoke 13.

Band 16, in a preferred embodiment, is coated, at least on the outer face thereof, with a silicone base adhesive. The adhesive may be applied directly to the band or to a tape secured to the band. The silicone base adhesive presents a tacky surface to which a cosmetic article will adhere for the temporary support of same but the adhesion with a silicone base adhesive, is temporary such that the cosmetic article may be transferred via use of the applicator. The adhesive has the substantial advantage of being washable to remove contaminants such as grease, dirt and the like which impair the tackiness of the adhesive. After washing, the adhesive is renewed and thus the band may be used a considerable number of times before replacement is required. Replacement can be readily accomplished by merely withdrawing band 16 from slots 17 and inserting a new band. In applying the silicone base adhesive to the band, the surface to be coated is primed and air dried after which the silicone is applied and cured. The adhesive on the surface of band 16 is indicated at 18.

In using the FIG. 1 applicator to apply, for example, a false eyelash, the side of the eyelash to be exposed in use is placed in contact with the adhesive 18 and the false eyelash adheres thereto. A coat of liquid adhesive or other suitable adhering medium may then be applied to the false eyelash. The applicator is then manipulated through the handle in order to bring the false eyelash into contact of the wearers eyelid and the applicator may be rolled or otherwise manipulated in order to cause the false eyelash to adhere to the surface of the eyelid along its entire length. Since the adhesion of the eyelash adhering medium adheres the false eyelash to the eyelid with sufficient strength to overcome the temporary support of the false eyelash on adhesive 18, the eyelash will be deposited on the eyelid of the wearer. Other cosmetic articles may be applied in the same manner.

The provision of yoke 13 'with the band at the outer ends of the legs thereof greatly facilitates self application of cosmetic articles since, while viewing ones self in the mirror, viewing is unobstructed above and below band 16. This is especially useful when the cosmetic article is being self-applied to an eyelid.

While adhesive 18 is shown as applied to a band, a round wire or element of other suitable configuration could be substituted for band 16.

If desired, the band 16 or other suitable element to 'Which adhesive 18 is applied, may be convex in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. 2 or, concave in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 4, an applicator 21 having a yoke 22 and a handle 23 has a bore 24 in the outer end of each leg 25 of the yoke. A longitudinal block 26 is provided with a pair of depending pins 27 adapted to be received in bores 24 for supporting the block on the yoke. A length of soft plastic or rubber 28 is molded so as to dovetail with block 26 as at 29 in order to mount element 28 on block 26. Element 28 has a curved outer surface 31 to which is applied a silicone base adhesive 32 of the type previously discussed. The cosmetic article to be applied is temporarily adhered to the adhesive on the curved outer surface in the same manner as previously discussed. The entire assembly of the block and element carrying the adhesive may be readily unplugged from yoke 22 in order to wash the adhesive for renewing the tackiness of same or for replacement purposes.

A plier type applicator is shown in FIG. and includes a pair of handles 35 pivoted at 36 with parallel jaw portions 37. The outer end of each jaw portion is formed With a leg 38 which carries a band 39 having silicone base adhesive 41 on the outer surface thereof.

Referring to FIG. 6, handles 35 may be squeezed to move jaw portions 37 closer to one another thereby causing band 39 to be deflected to a convex condition 42 or a concave condition 43 depending upon the initial slight prebending of the band. A spring 44 (FIG. 5) biases the jaws to the open position.

The embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 has the advantage of permitting the cosmetic article to be temporarily adhered to the surface of the band while the band is generally straight or flat in the longitudinal direction. After the cosmetic article has been temporarily adhered, the applicator may then be manipulated to cause the band to become either convex or concave at the outer, adhesive carrying surface. Whether the band becomes convex or concave is predetermined by the configuration of the band or by legs 38 or by the support band in the legs.

The applicator can be constructed so that the band will become convex or concave.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 through 9, a handle 51 is provided with a through slot 52 having a depression 53 proximate one end thereof. An applicator head 54 consists of a support 55 to which is dovetailed a soft plastic or rubber element 56 having a silicone base adhesive 57 on the outer surface thereof. Support 55 is provided with an arm 58 having protrusions 59 through which the applicator head is wedged into handle 51 'with one of the protrusions 59 being received in depression 53 for a firm friction fit.

It is readily seen that applicator head 54 may be removed from the handle for cleaning the adhesive surface or replacement of the head. If desired, the general configuration of the applicator head may be concave in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. 7, and a false eyelash 60 is shown temporarily adhered to the surface of element 56 via the adhesive 57 in FIG. 8.

While a liquid adhesive is commonly used for adhering cosmetic articles to the skin of the wearer, the invention also contemplates the use of a double sided adhesive surgical tape which is preferably transparent. The tape may be supplied in small strips with release paper on both sides thereof and a typical use of surgical tape is shown in FIG. 9. The transparent tape 61 having adhesive on opposite sides thereof is secured on one side to false eyelash 60 temporarily adhered to applicator head 54. The release paper on one side of the surgical tape has already been removed and a release paper 62 is shown in place on the other side of the surgical tape. In order to apply the false eyelash to an eyelid, release paper 62 is removed and the tape is then used as the medium for adhering the false eyelash to an eyelid.

Due to the small size of individual tapes, it is desirable to provide means for manipulating the tape onto the cosmetic article in the first instance. If the support surface on the applicator for the cosmetic article is flat, the tape may be placed on any flat surface and, with adhesive exposed, may be picked up by the cosmetic article temporarily adhered to the applicator. However, as shown in the various embodiments, the cosmetic article support surface may be curved and it may not be possible to pick up a piece of tape from a flat surface.

In order to aid in the pick up of the tape, a compressible pad is provided for the support of a length of tape such that a cosmetic article temporarily adhered to an applicator may be pressed into engagement with a length of tape and conformation will take place as a result of compression of the support surface.

A kit may be provided as shown in FIG. 10 wherein a box 71 has a compressible pad 72 mounted therein. A strip of surgical tape with the adhesive on one side exposed is placed on the compressible pad and the cosmetic article supported on the applicator is brought into contact with the strip of tape with pressure compressing the pad 72 and causing the tape to conform to the curvature of the article on the applicator. Included in the kit may be a quantity of tape 61 and false eyelashes 60. If desired, the box may also be suiiiciently large to accommodate an applicator.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efliciently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions and in carrying out the method set forth without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter containedin the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. As a new article of commerce, an applicator for a cosmetic article comprising a support element to which the cosmetic article is to be temporarily adhered, a silicone base washable adhesive coating on said support element for temporarily adhering the cosmetic article thereto, and a handle on which said support element is mounted for manipulation of same.

' 2. An applicator for a cosmetic article as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle includes a yoke having outwardly extending legs and said support element is secured at opposite ends thereof proximate to the ends of said legs.

3. An applicator for a cosmetic article as claimed in claim 2 wherein said support element is substantially U- shaped with the central portion of the U carrying said adhesive material and the ends thereof secured to said yoke legs.

4. An applicator for a cosmetic article as claimed in claim 3 wherein said central portion of said Ushaped support element is convex along the longitudinal extent thereof.

5. An applicator for a cosmetic article as claimed in claim 3 wherein said central portion of said U-shaped support element is concave along the longitudinal extent thereof.

6. An applicator for a cosmetic article as claimed in claim 2 wherein said support element includes a compressible element having said adhesive material applied to one surface thereof, said compressible element extending substantially the width of said yoke and including means for removably attaching said compressible element to the legs of said yoke proximate the outer ends thereof.

7. An applicator for a cosmetic article as claimed in claim 6 wherein said compressible element is carried by a block and said removable attachment means comprises a plurality of pins and a bore for each of said pins cooperating between said block and the legs of said yoke.

8. An applicator for a cosmetic article as claimed in claim 1 wherein said handle comprises a pair of plier-like elements pivoted intermediate the ends thereof with said support element supported by said plier-like elements proximate to the jaw ends thereof.

9. An applicator for a cosmetic article as claimed in claim 8 wherein said support element is capable of being flexed to a curved condition upon movement of said jaw ends of said plier-like elements in a closing direction.

10. An applicator for a cosmetic article as claimed in claim 1 wherein said support element has an arm extending therefrom, and said handle has a slot therein for receiving said arm whereby said support element is removably mounted on said handle.

11. An applicator for a cosmetic article as claimed in claim 10 including detent means acting between said arm and said slot for removably latching said slot in said arm.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,035,667 3/1936 Payes et al. 132-323 2,168,370 8/1939 Solomon 13232.3 2,218,862 10/1940 Vredenburgh 132-88] 2,503,552 4/1950 Hassler 13232.3 2,606,565 8/1952 Sage 132-881 F. BARRY SHAY, Primary Examiner I. W. MITCHELL, Assistant Examiner 

